1 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6 Thurmont United Methodist Church 13880 Long Road Thurmont, MD 21788 Office - Monday-Thursday, 9-1pm 301-271-4511 Email: [email protected]Website: www.ThurmontChurch.org www: facebook.com/thurmontchurch Our Mission Statement “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” THURMONT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH JULY NEWSLETTER Rev. Dr. Kenneth J. Fizer, Jr. Cell 301-991-7839 [email protected]INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Calendar 2 A Word from Pastor Ken 3 Message from Tim Olsen 5 Social Media 6 2020 Graduates 7 Pastor Ken 8 Announcements 9 Clothes Closet 10 Small Groups 11 Military, College, Medical, etc. 12 Missions 13 Birthdays 14 Sunday Worship Times: Traditional - 9am Sunday School - 9 - 10am Contemporary - 10:30am
Due to Covid-19, currently we are limited in our ability to reach out to the unchurched. How-
ever, once things get back to normal, I would like to hit the ground running. There are things we can
focus on now that will help us to be more effective when we are able to re-enter. I have put together
nine practices that will increase our effectiveness in reaching the unchurched. These nine practices
for church growth are:
Major on Majors
Church members must keep the main thing the main thing. Some members demand their brand
of music. Others get irritated when the order of worship is changed. Others fuss when the same ser-
mon goes too long. Some members seem to worship their building, and in the meantime, tens of
thousands have not heard the Gospel and so few church members seem to care.
Healthy churches tend to major on majors. Other issues are treated, as they should be, as minor.
Churches that reach the unchurched keep their priorities in order and their goals in clear view.
2. Be Biblical and Convictional
Churches that reach the unchurched have a high view of Scripture. And their convictions about
their beliefs are obvious.
A church can attempt many good contextual efforts to reach the unchurched, but if it does not
have a high view of Scripture, the efforts are either futile or transient.
3. Give Evangelism Priority and Passion
What do vibrant churches all have in common? They all make evangelism a priority. They may
have theological differences. Their worship styles range from traditional to blended to contemporary.
Their common bond, however, is a passion for evangelism.
4. Provide Biblical Teaching in Small Groups
Churches that reach the unchurch provide many options for Biblical teaching, the unchurched are
attracted to small groups because they desire Biblical teaching and training, and they seek to develop
relationships with other Christians. Small groups dramatically impact the effectiveness of a church’s
assimilation and provide a solid foundation of the Christian faith.
5. Check Your Facilities
Realize that one of the most critical areas for cleanliness, attractiveness, and modern equipment
is the Nursery and Sunday School. Unchurched people say that the quality of the Sunday School class
rooms was one of the key issues that attracted them to a church. Also, signage is important to the un-
churched as well. The unchurched are often terrified to come to a strange church and attractive direc-
tional signs help visitors navigate.
4 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
A WORD FROM PASTOR KEN
Visitors are completely turned off by unkempt facilities, dirty restrooms, and ill-equipped Sunday
School classrooms.
6. Keep the Friendliness Issue Before the Church
Every church thinks it is friendly. These false perceptions are based on how members treat each
other in the church. They do not see themselves from the perspective of an outsider. They do not re-
alize that, while they speak to people they know and people they see each week, the outsider has no
such connections. They need to be reminded each week to be friendly.
• Greeters should be clearly identifiable with badges, or some other type of clear marking.
• Provide a welcome center with good and updated information on the church.
7. Provide New Members’ Class
The formerly unchurched for the most part will gladly attend a new members class prior to mem-
bership. We need to remember that an unchurched person who visits our church typically wants to
learn more.
8. Expect Much/Receive Much
Churches that reach the unchurched are high-expectation churches. Their members are excited
Christians. They belong to an organization that makes a difference. They gladly share their faith, in-
vite friends and family members to church, and generally express excitement about their church.
Leaders of these churches do not hesitate to ask members to get involved in ministry. They constant-
ly urge them to develop their own spiritual gifts and talents. New Christians are eager to get involved,
and their enthusiasm is contagious. Unfortunately, some churches do a fair job of reaching the un-
churched only to see them leave within a few months because they have rigid and antiquated rules
that prohibit ministry involvement of new members.
9. Never Forget the Power of Prayer
Evangelizing the unchurched is spiritual warfare. Satan will do anything he can to hinder some-
one from becoming a believer. Only prayer can effectively break the bonds of complacency and nit-
picking that keep a church’s focus off evangelism.
In Christs’ Service
Pastor Ken
5 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
A Word from Your Lay Leader
June 2020
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son that whoev-
er believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. God sent not his son
into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be
saved!” John 3:16
What more can we say? We as humans have a tendency to make things
more complicated and difficult than they really are. Let us as Christians simply be
about our fathers business of telling those we share our lives with on a daily basis
(fellow workers, schoolmates, business associates, family members etc. ) the good
news we have found in this scripture and that dwells within our hearts and lives!
And all the more as we see the day of Christ’s return approaching!
God Bless
Tim Olsen
6 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
TUMC SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER
We are working on trying to grow the social presence of our church and spread the word to the masses of what we do as the church. We need your help in this to make this happen! There are a few simple things you can do to help us. We are on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If you do not already follow us, hit the follow button to get the most up to date information and posts from the church. You can follow us at:
Facebook: Thurmont United Methodist Church
Instagram: Thurmont UMC
YouTube: Thurmont United Methodist Church
Now that you follow us, we need your help spreading the word. If you see, we post something please share it to your page. This will allow your friends and followers to see our post, and hopefully follow our page. This helps us get the information to more people. Feel free to invite people to our pages and to follow us. You invite them to church ser-vices, invite them to see all we are doing online. There is one last thing you can do to help us. If you have anything you want shared on social media from the church let us know. We will do our best get the word out there.
7 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
High School Graduates
Alex Bennett Hannah Johnson
Elizabeth Burch Caleb McCleaf
Kerra Irons Joshua McCleaf
Madison Williams Noel Romero
Isabel Rozo
College Graduate
Jessica Bentley
8 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
A PERSONAL STORY FROM PASTOR KEN
Dear Thurmont UMC Family & Friends,
Our nation is once again struggling with the issue of racism. Therefore, I would like to share
how my eyes were opened to the pain of racism in another person. The encounter took place in 1982,
while I was a student at Shippensburg University. I’ve never shared this story with anyone before but
now I feel that maybe God wants me to share it for such a time as this.
I was living in the dormitories on campus and would frequently hangout with the guy who
lived next door to me. His name was James. James and I enjoyed each other’s company and just
about every evening the two of us would go down to the basement to play ping-pong.
We were both good players and our matches were very competitive. One weekend our dorm
scheduled a flag football game. I wanted to play, but I knew I had an exam on Monday, so I reluctant-
ly spent the day in the library studying. That evening when I got back in the dorm room there was a
knock on my door and it was James. I invited him in and asked him if he played in the flag football
game. He sadly said, “No.” Then he paused and said, “I came over now just to say, “thank you.” I gave
him a blank look and said, “What are you thanking me for?” Then he said, “You always include me.”
Then he paused and said, “I didn’t play flag football because no one invited me to play. Folks didn’t
include me because I’m black. You’re the only one in this dorm that invites me to do anything. So, I
just came over to thank you for being who you are.” We shook hands and he left. After James left my
dorm room, I was so moved by his words that I sat down on the side of my bed and cried. I cried be-
cause I didn’t realize the pain he was feeling inside. I cried because I didn’t realize how he was being
excluded. I also felt disappointed with my other classmates.
That day in 1982, my eyes were opened to a new reality. And since that day, I’ve always tried
to be pro-active in building bridges across racial lines. As a Seminary student at Wesley Theological
Seminary, I studied philosophical theology with Dr. Roy Morrison, II. Dr. Morrison at the time was
in ill health and after class I would frequently carry his books for him back to his office. He would of-
ten invite me to sit down and share stories with me. Including what it was like being a black man
growing up during segregation. I learned a lot just by listening to him.
I share this personal story with you because I believe there are two very important take aways
from my experience that can help us all build bridges and combat racism: (1) work on developing
close friendships with folks outside your race and spend time with them; (2) listen to their stories. It
is through developing close friendships with folks that are different than us and listening to their sto-
ries that enables us to understand each other. And then we can truly love one another as Christ loves
us.
In God’s Love, Pastor Ken
9 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
For those of you looking for a special gift, why not support the
TUMC building fund with a purchase of our very own TUMC Cat’s
Meow wooden replica. We have a few available and it would make a
nice gift for a family member or friend. Your cost is $20.00. Please
contact Shirley Greene or stop by the church office, Monday -
Thursday, 9am-1pm.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES
Youth 8th - 12th Grade
Please join us on Sunday’s
11:45am - 12:30pm, Pavilion
Dear Thurmont UMC Family, 9:00a.m. Worship Service A few folks in our 9:00 a.m. traditional worship service have approached me expressing sadness in not being able to hear beautiful organ music on Sunday mornings. We at Thur-mont UMC are very blessed to have Lana Sorenson Emery who is a very gifted organist. I spoke with Lana and she has agreed to begin playing for the 9:00 a.m. service again. Because the worship service will be in the sanctuary, we will be required to wear a mask, practice so-cial distancing, and there can be no singing. Yet, we can enjoy Lana’s beautiful organ music. There will be prayers, Scripture, and a message and we will celebrate Holy Communion in the pews together. I’m excited to offer this worship experience in addition to the 10:30 a.m. outside service that will continue to livestream on Facebook, Instagram, UTube, and be up-loaded on the church website. Our 9:00 a.m. worship service will begin on Sunday, July 5th. God Bless, Pastor Ken
10 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
TUMC COMMUNITY CLOTHES CLOSET
The Clothes Closet is open for business again! We are open to the church by appointment
only and are open our normal hours following safety guidelines.
We need you! The Clothes Closet is always looking for people to join our
team and volunteer. We especially need some seasonal helpers now, as it
takes more people to help run the clothes closet with these safety precau-
tions. If you are willing to give us a helping hand now or want to join us
more permanently please contact Denise Bentley at 301-748-2092, or
Sandy Moser at 301-271-2917.
If you want to join the clothes closet, but not when we are open, or want to be on our board
consider joining us as our Special Events Coordinator. You would be working with the rest of the
board in planning our special events at the Clothes Closet like our Potluck Price is Right Fashion
Show. If you are interested, please contact Denise Bentley.
The Clothes Closet was able to send 10 boxes of women’s summer clothing to the Seaton Center this past month. We were also able to send some birth- size 2 clothes to the Pregnancy Cen-ter in Emmitsburg.
CLOTHES CLOSET HOURS
CHURCH FAMILY: EVERY SUNDAY, 9:30am - Noon
1st & 4th MONDAY - 6:00 - 7:30pm
3rd TUESDAY - 10:00 - 11:30am
Emergency needs, please call the church office
Monday - Thursday 9am-1pm, 301-271-4511
301-271-4511
11 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
TUMC have many groups to choose from if you are looking at deepening your relationships with your church family and with God, but do you see a need for a group that isn’t already cov-ered? Do you have an idea for starting a group geared toward a specific age group or life situa-tion (parenting, aging, health, stay-at-home moms, etc.)? If so, talk to Pastor Ken. These groups fellowship together and pray with each other every week. The Olsen Life Group meets on Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8pm. Individual devotionals on different subjects and how they pertain to our daily lives. Call Tim Olsen at 301-271-2576. (suspended for now) Bible Study with Pastor Ken meets on Wednesdays 7-8:30pm in Adult Classroom 1 down-stairs. Fellowship & Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 9:00am. Studying the book, “Jesus Always, Following God’s Direction” by Sarah Young. Call Dorothy Moser at 301-271-9104 to confirm location. The Women’s Life Group meets on Thursdays in church social hall at 9:30am. Currently stud-ying Ephesians. Call Annette at 301 271-6931.
SMALL GROUPS
Letter of Introduction from Meagan Mongold
I’ve been attending Thurmont United Methodist Church since 2006. I started youth group at TUMC in the 6th grade and attended until I graduated in 2017. I participated in events and mission trips put together by the youth group that ended up fueling my desire to serve in youth ministry. I am going into my senior year at Cairn University in Langhorne, PA. I am studying for a BS in Youth & Family Ministry with a minor in Criminal Justice. After this I plan on attending McDaniel College in West-minster, MD to get my Masters in School Counseling. In March of 2019, I went on a mission trip to Northern Ireland to work at a Kids Club, put on school as-semblies, and run a Vacation Bible School for Newcastle Baptist Church. While at school, I am a leader for Young Life in Bucks County and I lead a Young Adults Small group at The Crossing United Methodist. I am currently doing my senior internship at TUMC and I will be running the Youth Programs for the sum-mer. This includes running Youth Group, a VBS, and other various duties. I am so excited to be working with these children, teens, and their families for the duration of my time here and I can't wait to gain more experience and develop additional skills. Thank you to Pastor Ken and mem-bers of TUMC for allowing me this opportunity. Meagan Mongold
12 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
COLLEGE STUDENTS - Whether they are away from home or commuting, please keep our college students in your prayers. Knowing they have someone praying for them can make all the difference. Lauren Ames Carly Crone Hannah Hartnes
Joshua Head Victoria Hoke Chrissy Kaas
Morgan Koch Alex Mayhew Meagan Mongold
Sydney Willard
MILITARY PRAYERS - Please keep all our Military in your pray-
ers. Whether they are home or away, active or retired, they still need our
prayers. They have served our country well and we will remember them
in prayer.
Steven Clarke, PFC son of Charles and Tammy Clarke, address:
PFC Steven Clarke
A/2-10 TF Dragons
KAF, Afghanistan
APO, AE 0935
Shirley Green’s daughter SSC Lindsey Campbell and her husband
SSG Michael Campbell both Army National Guard.
Noel Romero, daughter of Daniel and Melissa Romero, entering the
Marine Corp in July, 2020.
ALL MEDICAL PERSONNEL, FIRST RESPONDERS,
POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS, RESEARCHERS - Continued
prayers of faith and healing for our country and development of a vac-
cine to control this Coronavirus.
Please notify the church office with any updates.
13 June 2020 Volume 16 Issue 6
Missions is still working even with no church services or services held outdoors. Even though giv-ing has not been what it was pre-pandemic, Missions has still had enough to cover the costs of our monthly supports. Thank you Jesus! We have had a little left over each month and that has gone lo-cally to the Thurmont Food Bank and to the Thurmont Ministerium for rent and utilities for those in need. You can still drop off food, health or cleaning supplies at church or the Thurmont Food Bank.
Please check out Compassion International. Even if you don't want to support a child monthly, you can still write to a child who is already being supported by someone else. Not all sponsors are willing or able to write to their assigned children. You can brighten a child's life simply by writing a letter. Won't you please check them out. Also, be sure to read the attached article from Compassion.
Pastor Makes His Own Mask and Gives Away His Own Food to the Poor in His Community
The Promised Land Baptist Church serves the “dumpsite” community of Payatas in the Philippines, which has become much more impoverished since the community has been quar-antined due to COVID-19. Unable to work, families were quickly running out of food. Pastor Ganiban is doing everything he can to serve his community. He’s not only distributing food using your gener-ous donations; he’s giving away his own money, even his family’s own sack of rice. He’s using whatever he can as a mask, including a water bottle, so he can give whatever he has to those struggling. This man is just so incredible, using faith to fight fear during this global pandemic. In times when there’s so much darkness, stories like this give us hope. Thank you, Pastor Ganiban, for your incredible faith and love for people!
